Jack



July 13, 1943. c. M. DONAHOO 2,324,141

JACK

Filed April 19, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l 1 1| I l I lul lul I mona ooIn/bonbon 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 JACK c. M. poNAH'oo Filed April 19, i941 VQxbwv WN July 13, 1943.

Patented July 13, 1943 UNITED JACK Clarence M. Donahoo, Detroit, Mich.,assigner of one-fourth to Donald McElderry and onefourth to Frank R.McElderry,

Ottumwa, Iowa both of Application April 19, 1941, Serial No. 389,425

3 Claims.

This invention'relates to a jack, and it is an object of the inventionto provide a jack having a flexible leg comprising a plurality of'links,together with means for automatically locking or unlocking adjacentlinks of the leg as required in the use of the jack.

Another object of the invention is to provide a jack including a housinginto which a jack leg is retracted when not in use, together with meansfor moving said leg outwardly of the housing for eliecting a liftingoperation, the entrance end portion of the housing being angularlyrelated with respect to the remaining portion oi the housing and the legbeing articulated to facilitate the movement of the leg outwardly orinwardly with respect to the housing.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a jack comprising ahousing having an angularly disposed end portion together with anarticulated leg movable into or out of the housing, said leg comprisinglinks having associated therewith means whereby adjacent links whenextended from within the housing are substantially rigidly locked one-to the other.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in thecombination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved jackwhereby certain important advantages are attained and the devicerendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient andadvantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be denitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will nowproceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a view in top plan of a jack constructedin accordance with an embodiment of my invention and unapplied;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially on theline 2-2 of Figure 1 with certain of the parts in elevation;

Figure 3 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially on the line3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially on the line4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially on the line5-5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially on the line 66 of Figure 2;

Figure '7 is a view in perspective of a locking key as herein comprisedunapplied;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary View partly in section and partly in elevationillustrating a slightly modied form of invention;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary detailed View of the inserted end portion ofthe leg as herein embodied;

Figure 10 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through one of thelinks of the articulated leg.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, I denotes a section of ahousing H. This section I, as herein disclosed, is angular in crosssection and has one end closed, as at 2. This section i of the housingis adapted to be anchored in any desired manner to a suitable supportingstructure, it only being required that such section I have itslongitudinal axis disposed substantially horizontal.

The bottom wall 3 of the section I from substantially one end to theother of the section I is formed to provide a depending trough-likeguide 'I in which extends an elongated lug 5 carried by and dependingfrom a block 6. As is particularly illustrated in Figure 2 of thedrawings, this block 6 is of a length in excess of the length of the lug5 and said block 6 has a flat upper face in close contact with the flattop wall of the section I, as at l. The end portion of the guide 4remote from the closed end 2 of the section I is closed by a relativelythick end wall 8 which provides a mounting, as at 9, for an end portionof a threaded shaft I0, This shaft IU threads lengthwise through the lug5 of the block 6 and has an end portion disposed through the bearing IIcarried by the closed end 2 hereinbefore referred to. Coacting with thewall 8 and the bearing Il are the thrust collars I2 fixed to the shaftI, thus assuring the shaft I0 being effectively held against endwisemovement. The portion of the shaft Il extending beyond the closed end 2of the section' I is adapted to be coupled in any desired manner to asuitable source of power. As illustrated in the accompanying drawings,ths extended portion of the shaft I carries a gear I4 for such purposealthough I do not wish to limit myself in this respect.

Suitably secured, as at I5, to the open end of the section I of thehousing H is a second section I6. The section I6 when assembled withrespect to the section I is in continuation of said section I. Thissection I6 has its end portion a immediately adjacent to the section Iarcuate in form and disposed on a desired radius while the opposite endportion b of the section I6 is straight and elongated. The length of thearcuate portion a of the section I6 is such as to position the portion bsubstantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the section I.This portion b of the section I6 is also disposed downwardly withrespect to the section I. The upper or arcuate portio-n a of the sectionI6 is pro-vided along its upper wall with a reinforcing web I'I andformed with this web II and the adjacent portion of the outer wall ofthe portion b is a plate I3. This plate I8 is of such dimensionspreferred and, as herein disclosed, extends a material distance beyondopposite sides of the housing H whereby said plate provides means foreffectively mounting the housing H on a suitable supporting structure.

It is believed to be obvious that if desired a securing or anchoringmeans may also be employed in connection with the closed end portion ofthe section I of the housing. As this is an obvious expedient it is notbelieved that a detailed description and illustration of such additionalsupport are necessary.

Working within the housing H is an articulated leg L comprising aplurality of links I9 and an outer end link 26. Each of the links i9, asherein disclosed, is substantially solid and is provided at one end atits transverse center with a mortise or groove 2i and at its oppositeend with an outstanding lug or tenon 22. The lug or tenon 22 of one linkis substantially snugly received within the mortise or groove 2i of anadjacentA link and disposed through these interiitting portions ofadjacent links closely adjacent to the botto-m faces of the links is apivot member 2d whereby said adjacent links are connected for relativeswinging movement so that the leg L may readily have desired movementlengthwise of the housing H and particularly through the curved orarcuate portion a of the section I9. The mortise or groove 2| of theinnermost link of the leg L substantially snugly receives a lug or tenon25 extending from the block 6. This lug. 25 and adjacent end link I9 arepivotally connected by the pin 26.

The mortise or groove 2! in an end portion, of each of the links I9provides a pair of transversely spaced arms 2l and the inner face of oneof the arms 2l is provided with an elongated groove 28 at right anglesto the pivotal connection of said arm with the lug or tenon 2 2 of anadjacent link I 9. When adjacent links I9 are substantially aligned,this groove 28 registersvvith the head portion 29 of a T slot disposedthrough the associated lug or tenon 22. The leg portion 39 of this Tslot, as hereinbefore disclosed, is at substantially, the longitudinalcenter of the head portion 29 and extends inwardly of the link.

The side faces of the links I9 are provided therealong with the groovesor channels 3I and when adjacent links I9 are aligned, said grooves orchannels 3| are aligned and for a purpose to be hereinafter moreparticularly referred to.

The arm 21 of each 0f the links I9 having the groove 28 is providedtherethrough at the central portion of said groove 2B with an opening 32which is also in communication with the adjacent groove or channel 3 I.

Coacting with each pair of adjacent links I9 is a locking member or keyM. The key M, as herein disclosed, comprises a. flat plate 33 whichsnugly and slidably engages within the slot 29 of the lug or tenon 22 ofthe link I9. This plate is also, as herein disclosed, of a widthsubstantially equal to the width of the lug or tenon 22 so that when notin locking position the plate 33 will oier no hindrance or obstructionto the relative swinging movemilt of the adjacent links.y

However, upon shifting of the plate 33 toward an adjacent arm 2'Iprovided with the groove 28 an end portion of said plate 33 will entersaid groove 28 and thereby effectively lock and hold the adjacent linksI9 against swinging movement. When the plate 33 is at the limit of itsholding or locking position it does not intersect the adjacent groove orchannel 3 I.

It is also to be stated that the openings 32 are not essential and ifpreferred each of the grooves or channels 28 may be closed at the endadjacent to groove 3I. The openings 32, however, facilitate the cleaningout of foreign matter when the occasion arises.

The plate 33 at one end thereof and at its transverse center is providedwith a rearwardly disposed stem 34 of a length substantially equal tothe length of the supplemental slot 39, and the outer end portion ofthis stem 34 is provided with the oppositely directed arms 35 and 35which have outward movement beyond opposite sides of the inner ends ofthe slot 39. The arms 35 and 36 are each of such length that when theplate 33 is at the limit of its movement in one direction, one of saidarms extends within a groove or channel 3I at one side of the link I9and with the outer arm free of the groove or channel 3I at the oppositeside.

The outermost link 26 is operatively engaged with the adjacent link I9in the same manner as hereinbefore set forth with respect to adjacentlinks I9. This link 2D, however, is provided at its outer end with anextended tongue 36. As indicated by broken lines in Figure 2, thistongue 36 is operatively engaged within a socket 31 carried by a footplate 38.

The adjacent links I9 of the leg L when retracted within the housing Hare unlocked so that as the leg L moves outwardly said adjacent links I9 will have the required relative swinging movement. The adjacent linkswithin the housing H have the arms 36 within the grooves or channels 3lat the same side of the links with, of course, the second arms 35 fullyretracted. As

the links move outwardly beyond the entrance end of the section I6 ofthe housing H,` ther ex tended extremities of the arms 36 will contactwith an inwardly disposed cam 39 carried by the side wall of the sectionI6 at a point closely adjacent to the lower or entrance end of saidsection I3. This contact of an arm 36 with the cam 39 will cause theplate 33 to be shifted in a direction to engage within the groove 28 ofa, lug or tenon 22 of an adjacent link I9 whereby said adjacentV linksare effectively locked so that asl the links I9 of the leg L pass downbelow the lower; or. entrance end of the section I6 of the housing Hthey are rigidly held so that said extended portion of the leg is rigid.Upon this movement of the plate 33, the arm 35 will b e extended withinthe groove or channel 3I at the opposite side of the link I 9 so that asthe leg L is retractedwithin the housing H and after the arms 3,5 and3.6 have.

passed inwardly beyond the cam 39, the extended end of the arm 35 willcontact a second cam 49. This will result in shifting of the plate 33,out. of locking position and thus allow the desired ilexing orarticulation of theleg as it passesY through the curved or arcuateportion a of thesection I6.

These cams 39 and 40, as illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings, arewithin the straight portion b of the section I6 and are spaced apartlengthwise of said portion b for any suitable distance preferred.

In theembodiment ofh my invention as;v illustrated in Figure 8 the links4l and more especially the innermost of said links are cylindrical inform and extend within a tubular housing 42 supported in any desiredmanner for rotation. The innermost of the links 4I is operativelyconnected, as at 43, 4with a cylindrical member or block 44 which isprovided with the peripheral threads 45 coacting with the internalthreads 4t of the revolving housing 42. The housing 42, as hereindisclosed, is provided with a gear 41 adapted to be engaged with anydesired source of power whereby the housing 42 may be rotated as desiredin either direction. Upon rotation of the housing 42 in one directionthe links 4| of the leg will be moved outwardly and, of course, uponrotation of the housing in the opposite direction the leg will beretracted.

I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the particular useto which my improved jack may be put. However, the same can beadvantageously employed in connection with a motor driven vehicle and insuch connection a desired number of my jacks will be mounted upon thedesired portions of the vehicle and the shaft l0 operatively engagedwith a preferred moving part of the vehicle. This is also true inconnection with the housing 42 as comprised in the embodiment of myinvention as illustrated in Figure 8.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a jackconstructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adaptedfor use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may beassembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my in- 5vention is susceptible of some change and modification without departingfrom the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wishto be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement andformation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my inventionin practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim: k

l. A jack including a housing having its opposite end portions angularlyrelated and its intermediate portion arcuate, a flexible leg movableinto and out of the housing through an end thereof, said leg comprisinga plurality of links, each of the intermediate links being provided atone end with spaced arms and at its opposite end with a lug, the lugextending between the arms of an adjacent link, means for pivotallyconnecting the lug and arms of an adjacent link, a T slot disposedthrough the lug, one of the arms having an opening registering with thehead of the T slot of the lug therebetween when adjacent links aresubstantially aligned, an elongated rigid member slidably mounted in thehead of the T slot of the lug, the body of the link having a transversegroove therethrough which has communication with the leg of the T slotof the lug, a stem carried by the rigid member at an extremity thereofand freely received within the leg of the T slot, oppositely disposedarms extending laterally from the stem, the said arms of the stem havingsliding engagement within the transverse groove in the body of the link,said arms of the stem being of such length to have one of said armsfully retracted within the body of the link when the other arm of thestem is extended therebeyond, the sliding member, stem and arms of thestem constituting a unit for recurrent movement transversely of thelink, and means carried by the housing for contact with an extending armof the stem for moving the sliding member in a direction to engage inthe opening of one of the arms of a link to lock adjacent links againstrelative swinging movement or to release adjacent links for relativeswinging movement. f

2. A jack including a housing having its opposite end portions angularlyrelated and its intermediate portion arcuate, a flexible leg movableinto and out of the housing through an end thereof, said leg comprisinga plurality of links, each of the intermediate links being provided atone end with spaced arms and at its opposite end with a lug, the lugextending between the arms of an adjacent link, means for pivotallyconnecting the lug and arms of an adjacent link, a T slot disposedthrough the lug, one of the arms having an opening registering with thehead of the T slot of the lug therebetween when adjacent lugs aresubstantially aligned, an elongated rigid member slidably mounted in thehead of the T slot of the lug, the arms having transversely alignedopenings for communication with the leg of the T slot of the lugtherebetween, a stem carried by the rigid member at an extremity thereofand freely received within the leg of the T slot, oppositely disposedarms extending laterally from the stem, the arms of the link betweenwhich the lug is received having openings through which the arms of thestem pass, said arms of the stem being of such length to have one ofsaid arms fully retracted within the body of the link when the other armof the stem is extended therebeyond, the sliding member, stem and armsof the stem constituting a unit for recurrent movement transversely ofthe link, the side faces `of the links having grooves extendingtherealong, and cams carried by opposed walls of the housing andextending within the grooves along the side faces of the links to engagean extended arm of the stem for moving the sliding member in a directionto engage within the opening of one of the arms of a link to lockadjacent links against relative swinging movement or to release adjacentlinks for relative swinging movement.

3. A jack including a housing having its opposite end portions angularlyrelated and its intermediate portion arcuate, a exible leg movable intoand out of the housing through an end thereof, said leg comprising aplurality of links, each of the intermediate links being provided at oneend with spaced arms and at its opposite end with a lug, the lugextending between the arms of an adjacent link, means for pivotallyconnecting the lug and arms of an adjacent link, a T slot disposedthrough the lug, one of the arms having an opening registering with thehead of the T slot of the lug therebetween when adjacent lugs aresubstantially aligned, an elongated rigid member slidably mounted in thehead of the T slot of the lug, the arms having transversely alignedopenings for communication with the leg of the T slot of the lugtherebetween, a stem carried by the rigid member at an extremitythereof, and freely received within the leg of the T slot, oppositelydisposed arms extending laterally from the stem, the arms of the linkbetween which the lug is received having openings through which the armsof the stem pass, said arms of the stem being of such length to have oneof said arms fully retracted within the body of the link when the otherarm of the stem is extended therebeyond, the sliding member, stem andarms of the stem constituting a unit for recurrent movement transverselyof the link, the side faces adjacent links for relative swingingmovement, said cams being spaced apart lengthwise of the housingadjacent to the end beyond which the leg extends, one of said camsoperating to lock adjacent links as the leg moves outwardly from thehousing and the other for releasing the links after they move inwardlyof the housing.

CLARENCE M. DONAHOO.

